2024 November 21. 09:11 | Speeches

Submitted by Sándor-palotaon November 21, 2024

"The past is beyond our reach, but we are still the masters of the future."

Dear Mr Presidents, Mr Deputy Director General and Mr Chief Executive Officer!
Dear Participants of the World Science Forum!

Two hundred years ago there lived a man called István Széchenyi in our country. He was the founder of the legal predecessor of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He was determined to do something, to build a future for his country, and to establish scientific and political communities and networks. He never ceased to search for ways to make a better future for his country and the world around him.

One after another his plans became reality. We often call him "the Greatest Hungarian", as he was referred to by his contemporaries. I also cited him in the opening sentence of my speech: "The past is beyond our reach, but we are still the masters of the future."

It is a pleasure to greet you at the World Science Forum. In the name of my country, I would like to say that it is both a pleasure and honour for us that so many prominent international dignitaries from the world of science, who undoubtedly are shaping the future, have gathered here in Budapest.

Hungarian people have always been extremely proud of their scientists, scholars, researchers and inventors. And, we are naturally also very proud that it was the Hungarian Academy of Sciences that initiated the setting up of one of the most significant international forums of the world of science: the World Science Forum.

Last year was an outstanding and very special year for Hungary, as we had two new Hungarian Nobel Laureates, Katalin Karikó and Ferenc Krausz added to the prestigious list. Both of them achieved the Nobel Prize working with international partners carrying out cutting-edge research. Our highly esteemed scientists have made landmark discoveries that might be shaping the fate and future of mankind. They have achieved extraordinary advances in containing the pandemic and attosecond laser physics. And although, we are only witnessing the worldwide success of their work from the sideline, it is definitely true what Edison said: "Success is 10 percent inspiration and 90 percent perspiration."

In the 21st century mankind is facing hitherto unknown huge challenges. The researchers of the world are addressing such problems as climate change, fight against new epidemics, the demographic crisis in the welfare states and the population explosion in Africa, the future of the Sahel region, global water crisis, the dangers of microplastics, migration, the direction of technological development and the issue of sustainable development. Not to speak of the direction artificial intelligence might take in the future.

How can we respond to the signs of global crises?

We are well aware that we cannot address these problems successfully without cooperation between high-level policymakers and those working in the world of science. One of the key areas of interaction between science and policymaking is scientific advice, which is the main topic of the present World Science Forum. The quality of this relationship has a decisive role in determining how successfully policymakers and scientists can cooperate with each other. The two sides may approach certain issues differently for different reasons. Obviously, this is because scientists and policymakers take different perspectives on these issues, also envisage a different time horizon and set different priorities. But in spite of the differences, they have shared responsibilities. We are all responsible for the future of human civilization. We are responsible for our environment. We are responsible for our children and grandchildren. And not the least, we are responsible for the decisions we make.

The pandemic and its containment illustrated well that in our globalized world one single problem may turn into a worldwide challenge, and that we have to look for solutions together. We can only be successful in finding the answers to these challenges, if we join our forces.

In spite of the complexity of the challenges, there is one single element that must be present in all areas and disciplines. Neither politics nor science can ignore ethics, which is sometimes very easy to overlook. Only ethical science is capable of improving the life and future of humanity. What is needed is a sensible policy aiming to serve the common good. This means that policymakers have to commit themselves to finding solutions to these challenges, which may pose a real threat, and which, at first sight, seem unmanageable.

To analyse and interpret the looming signs of crises and challenges, and to find the right solutions, is always a professional task. What is even more difficult is to make the necessary and reasonable decisions. But, if there is trust and an honest dialogue between science and political decision makers, then not only the responsibility but also the success of the joint effort will be shared.

Through our joint effort we have overcome the pandemic, and this is how we can overcome the crises facing humanity in the future. We may truly become the masters of the future - to quote the words of the Greatest Hungarian - through dedicated work, constructive dialogue and joint efforts.

I wish all the participants of the World Science Forum successful and fruitful discussions.